Microsoft?s iPod: In the Zune

[N. Evan Van Zelfden]

Microsoft?s iPod: In the Zune

There has been great speculation about Microsoft, and handheld gaming devices. Today?s news of the Zune music-player only leads to further speculation on the subject.

 

[Virgil]

I'm pretty excited, for one major reason - the thing is said to have wireless [http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/10/microsofts-argo-xbox-wireless-portable-media-player/]. I'm getting really sick of cables, so I'd love a player I could take home and connect without all that bother. If it has any sort of web capability, that'd be pretty hot too - I'm not ready to believe that using the web on a cellphone will be anything better than the current nightmare for some time.

I'm sure it has blinky lights [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/18.454.3845]

 

[Russ Pitts]

Virgil has clearly jumped ahead to Stage 4.

 

[Incommunicado]

Indeed wireless is a really nice addition although on the other hand I am sure that this will be part of the next generation iPod as well then. Furthermore it won'd solve cable clutter at all since you still need a cable for charging the batteries of the device.
What I am currently more interested in is the usability and user-interface of the device itself plus the ease of integration with MediaPlayer and their music store.
Another interesting question (although not for everyone) is Linux/MacOS compatibility.

In the end I'm pretty sure this device, if not too horribly bad, will definitely put a serious dent into Apples iPod/Creative Zen/etc sales. Just as every pre-installed or bundled MS service and software did to every other competitor.